The BMW Z3 3.0i replaced the BMW Z3 2.8 in the middle of the year 2000. It was the sportiest version of the BMW Z3 model series. The sophisticated technical and visual styling features, along with the driving pleasure engendered by the 3.0 litre aspirated engine (M54B30) made up for the upscale price tag of more than DM 65,000. The visual cues of the roadster's chrome exhaust-pipe finishers distinguish the BMW Z3 3.0i from the other models. Over a production period of two years, more than 16,000 units were manufactured.